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Replica of flying legend finds a home with RAF squadron - Northallerton Today

A FULL-SIZED replica Spitfire built by members of the Ripon branch of the Royal British Legion has found a new home at RAF Leeming.
The plane – named Irene – has been given secure storage outside its summer touring season in a hangar at the air base.

Building a replica of the famous Second World War fighter was the brainchild of Howard Whiting when he took over as chairman of the Ripon branch of the Legion two years ago.

He said: "I really wanted to do something that we could use to bring who we are to the public attention, and I wanted something that had never been done before. The Spitfire was something iconic that all ages could relate to."

The original idea was to build a Spitfire which was one third the size of the original, but the project soon grew and grew. "We did six months research and wanted to do everything locally in terms of production," said Mr Whiting.

Using original blueprints, every single part of the aircraft was shaped by six members of the local group, who spent more than 11 months working on the project. The only exception was the canopy, which had to be manufactured by a company in Norfolk.

The Spitfire is made out of the same materials as the original model and even weighs the same – with tractor weights standing in for the engine.

Irene was finally completed in July last year, and has already been displayed at
air shows and other events up and down the country, with visitors queuing to have their photo taken in her cockpit.

Main attraction

Mr Whiting said: "There is still some work to be done because the cockpit is not complete. We have been struggling to keep up with her success – at the show in Hull she was the main attraction. It's great that we can keep her here at Leeming. It is somewhere local and it makes working on her a lot easier."

Funds raised from Irene's appearances are being used to support the work of the Royal British Legion locally, including the Lister House home in Ripon.

Wg Cdr Darren Legg, Officer Commanding 100 Sqn, is happy that his squadron has been able to give Irene a home. "The branch has raised thousands of pounds for charity with the Spitfire, so the least we can do is offer them some parking space and a hand to raise money if we can."